We need to go further: Guterres urges to prepare for UN 2.0

This was stated by UN Secretary General António Guterres at the UN General Assembly meeting.

"It is not enough for the United Nations to just have the right agenda. We need knowledge and experience to work with member states to implement this agenda. We need new skills, new experience, new strategies and programs," Guterres emphasized.

He noted that he plans to prepare an analytical brief on the vision of UN 2.0. It will outline proposals in several areas aimed at more effective support for UN member states in the coming years – digital technologies, innovation, forecasting and behavioral sciences areas.

On the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the UN, member states were obliged to strengthen global governance for the benefit of current and future generations. They asked Guterres to provide recommendations on the existing problems and future challenges of the UN. Therefore, on September 10, 2021, the report Our Common Agenda was presented – it outlines the concept of the development of global cooperation for the next 25 years.

Guterres noted that in the 18 months since the presentation of the report Our Common Agenda the UN has made significant progress. In particular, there was a breakthrough in the issue of compensation for expenses and damages (as a result of climate change). In addition, the Transforming Education Summit was held and the UN Youth Office was established.

"But this is definitely just the beginning – we have to go further," Guterres emphasized.

He added that currently the collective mechanisms for solving global problems do not correspond to the scale of the challenges. The UN Secretary General also expressed the hope that the outcome of the Future Summit will be the formation of the Future Pact. It will include actions to create fair and just global financial security, as well as commitments to ensure the security, peace and sustainability of the planet and the development of technologies that serve humanity and protect future generations.

"This year should be the year when we lay the foundations for more effective global cooperation, able to cope with today's challenges, as well as the new risks and threats of the future," Guterres concluded.

• For February 24 the UN General Assembly plans to vote on a resolution on ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.